Tuesday, December 18, 2018

January 30, 2018
Equitrekking contributor and author of Alta Mira Horsemanship shares some of her favorite spots to go horseback riding in the Pacific Northwest.

Usually, when I tell people that I moved from sunny San Diego, California to the melancholy vibes of Seattle, Washington, they don an expression of complete shock. “Why would you want to move from such an amazing place as San Diego?,” they ask.

Well, I could say there were too many people in Southern California, but Seattle has a lot of people, too. My purpose in coming here was to go to college, but my choice of locale came from a desire for change. I wanted something that still seemed a bit undiscovered and adventure-worthy. The Pacific Northwest came with no disappointment.

Seeing the ecosystem inhale and exhale with every passing season, from the dew of dawn to the contented sigh of the evening, is confirmation that this is the adventurer’s home. The drizzle that serves as our common backdrop merely highlights the prism of dazzling pink and purple tulips in the spring, the burnt orange and ashy red of the fall, and the bright, varied green foliage of the summer rainforest.

The Pacific Northwest is known for its countless hiking trails, but us equestrians know that nothing beats exploring to the rhythm of hoofbeats. My favorite trail, O’Grady, is a mere few blocks away from the barn in Enumclaw, WA. To get to the trailhead, you have to pass a perfect view of Mount Rainier. O’Grady has a handful of trails winding down through the forest to a meadow on the edge of the Green River...

Saturday, December 15, 2018

NORTON SHORES, MI – Horses are now allowed on some trails at a park in Norton Shores, a rarity for municipal park systems in West Michigan.

An ordinance prohibiting horses in Norton Shores parks recently was amended by the city council to allow them at Black Lake Park. That amounts to a big win for equestrian enthusiasts in the area.

Gail Whitaker, 75, of Norton Shores was one of several horse enthusiasts who lobbied for the change. She said equestrians have been taking their horses for trots around the woods surrounding the park.

Now, she and her friends in the Tuesday Trotters equine club can ride on specified park trails at Black Lake Park, located on a 58-acre parcel of land off south of Pontaluna Road between Wood Road and the eastern shoreline of Little Black Lake.

“It’s just a thrill for us,” Whitaker said. “The city is now one of the first towns in West Michigan that allows horses on trails. It’s a real asset for us, and a real asset for the city of Norton Shores because it could become an attraction for people who want to have a horse but don’t have anywhere to ride...”

Did you know that you can horseback ride on the beach in Maine? Here are two of the best beaches and a wildlife refuge that you won't want to miss.

Text and photos by Susan St. Amand.

I’ve ridden a lot of Maine’s trails over the years and was excited to return this fall to enjoy horseback riding on Maine’s beaches, as well as Trimble Mountain in the Calais, Maine area. These are diverse places to saddle up and enjoy ocean views and even catch a glimpse of Canada in the distance. Here are some great location picks for trail riding with your horse in Maine...

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Bikers are lobbying for increased access to roads and trails in the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where their options are currently limited.

The Marin Bicycle Coalition submitted a proposal to the National Park Service last month that both requests new designations for bikes in areas now open to hikers and equestrians only and suggests new trail connections for all users.

Currently, the seashore has just 15 miles of dirt trails open to bikes, including the Estero Trail, the Olema Valley Trail and the Inverness Ridge Trail. Another 14 miles of fire roads are open to bikes. By contrast, over 115 miles are open to horses...

Friday, December 7, 2018

Capitol Forest's DNR Recreational Managers are submitting several grants to help pay for improvements and resources in Capitol Forest. The importance of this work can't be overstated, and we hope all of these grants receive funding. But, every year far more grants are submitted than the available funding. Your support for these projects will help up the chances that these projects succeed. Please take the time to write letters of support for ALL of these grants!

RCO # 18-2466: New Capitol Forest Non-Motorized Trails
The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant for a development project which will expand the mileage for the non-motorized trail system in Capitol State Forest near Olympia. Non-motorized trail-based recreation continues to grow in Capitol Forest and the overall goal of this project is to disperse non-motorized use across the forest and provide additional loop and stacked loop routes within the trail system. This project will benefit hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, & equestrians who recreate in Capitol Forest and provide them with both shorter and longer loop options from multiple trailheads throughout the forest.

RCO # 18-2465 Capitol Forest ORV Trail and Facility Maintenance
The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to conduct maintenance on 83 miles of two track and single track ORV trails and 3 support facilities within Capitol State Forest. Trail maintenance will include: brushing, installing drainage features, trail hardening where necessary, installation of geo-synthetics, constructing small re-routes, bridge maintenance and sign installation. Trailhead and facility maintenance includes upkeep of: restrooms, campsites, parking areas and signs. This grant will fund a year around equipment operator and seasonal crews. The equipment operator will work with and support volunteers to perform trail maintenance. The primary recreation opportunity provided by this project is sustainable and more enjoyable ORV trails and support facilities. Many mountain bike and trail running enthusiasts enjoy the ORV trails as well. Electric (ebike) bicycle use is allowed on ORV trails in the forest and is becoming a more popular form of recreation.

In addition to motorized use the ORV trails are frequently used by mountain bikers and trail runners.

RCO # 18-2463 Capitol Forest Education and Enforcement
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will use this grant to conduct education and enforcement (E&E) operations in Capitol State Forest, which is located near Olympia. The grant will fund one full-time and one half time E&E warden. The Capitol Forest has 160 miles of trail, 4 campgrounds, 6 trailheads and 560 miles of open forest roads.

The recreation wardens, will focus on ORV use compliance, identifying and correcting safety issues for all trail and road users. Additionally, the warden will support Forest Watch volunteers who assist in education efforts to promote safety and proper forest use. The warden and volunteers will also assist in event management. DNR Police Services will assist by providing additional patrols and serve to assist the wardens in the forest. Grant funds will also be used to acquire equipment to aid in the investigation of criminal activity at trailheads. The primary recreation opportunity provided by the project will be safer and more sustainable trail trailhead and campground facilities in Capitol State Forest.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will use this grant to conduct education and enforcement (E&E) operations in Capitol State Forest, which is located near Olympia. The grant will fund one full-time and one half time E&E warden. The Capitol Forest has 160 miles of trail, 4 campgrounds, 6 trailheads and 560 miles of open forest roads.

The recreation wardens, will focus on ORV use compliance, identifying and correcting safety issues for all trail and road users. Additionally, the warden will support Forest Watch volunteers who assist in education efforts to promote safety and proper forest use. The warden and volunteers will also assist in event management. DNR Police Services will assist by providing additional patrols and serve to assist the wardens in the forest. Grant funds will also be used to acquire equipment to aid in the investigation of criminal activity at trailheads. The primary recreation opportunity provided by the project will be safer and more sustainable trail trailhead and campground facilities in Capitol State Forest.

The forest continues to see an increase in non-motorized use, particularly mountain biking and trail running and equestrian use in winter months. The non-motorized trails are in much better shape than years ago – let’s keep this effort.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

A 34-year-old dream of horse campers at Governor Dodge State Park is on the trail to becoming reality. The Friends of Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian committee is working to make the dream come true through its fundraising campaign.

A nonprofit organization, FOGD was formed in 1996 to support and enhance the programs and facilities at Governor Dodge State Park located near Dodgeville in Iowa County.

FOGD Equestrian Committee co-chairs Jean Warrior of Verona, and Sandy Rogers of Whitewater, are heading up the campaign to raise $650,000 to build an all-new horse campground at the site that was originally envisioned in the park’s 1984 master plan.

“Governor Dodge State Park is one of Wisconsin’s largest and most beautiful state parks,” Rogers said...

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Withlacoochee State Forest offers scenic and unique opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, seasonal hunting, nature photography, mountain biking, motocross and of course horseback riding.

Hernando County is home to many horse owners. There are designated areas for horseback riding within the Withlacoochee State Forest which provide more than just a healthy outlet for horses, but for the riders as well.

The Nature Coast Back Country Horsemen organization began in Montana in 1973 when four horsemen realized that public lands would need help in order to keep equestrian access open for future generations. As the years past many chapters were organized and developed to help maintain the upkeep of existing trails as well as create new ones.

Mary Lou Patton, 79, is the president of the local Nature Coast Back Country Horsemen (NCBCH) chapter...

After writing “In the Saddle” almost weekly since it first appeared on Nov. 28, 1992, this represents my final column. I consider this opportunity to have been the source of many friendships, as well as a tremendous learning experience, a privilege first offered to me by former Antelope Valley Press Editor Larry Grooms. My husband and I are planning our eventual retirement, which will continue to involve at least one horse, although I now ride very little.

As I first began looking for topics, I heard about Elaine Macdonald of Lancaster, who has a long and productive history of working to maintain trail access and open space. She is a concise, eloquent and well mannered public speaker, which makes her words well received. Elaine also became a wonderful resource for me to call upon.

She sums up her many years of continued volunteerism by saying, “I have committed my life as a volunteer for equestrian issues and an advocate for trails in the North County.”

It is for this reason I would like to publicly thank Elaine, and express my admiration...

BELMONT — Should Allegany County do more to invest in its equestrian trails?

The topic came up at the November Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting, with Legislator Bill Dibble (R-Little Genesee) championing the cause. Dibble pointed to Allegany State Park in Cattaraugus County as a model for future efforts.

“Allegany Park has over 65,000 acres, over a million people a year and a lot of horses. We have 60,000 acres of DEC land in this county,” Dibble said. “I have a lot of respect for our county Saddle Dusters Group. They are well organized.”

The Allegany County Saddle Dusters organize trail rides and events. Director of Planning Kier Dirlam noted there is interest in the county to expand riding opportunities. One of the challenges is creating trails specific to horses. Mixed-use trails with hikers and bikers are not always ideal...